21st Century Teenager

21st Century Teenager: 

21st Century Teenager “The 21st Century Teenager” Breaking Down the Communication Barrier. Presented By: Tim McDowell: Social Worker Jason Greathouse: Student Assistance Specialist

Adolescent Brain: 

Adolescent Brain Second brain growth spurt- allows more capacity and myelination of neurons which leads to abstract reasoning. The frontal lobe does not fully mature until the mid-20’s, therefore adolescents have difficulty with activities such as abstract reasoning, reading and understanding emotions, and inhibiting impulses.

Adolescent Decision-Making: 

Adolescent Decision-Making Imaginary Audience: Confusion between adolescents’ own thoughts and those of others. Leads to becoming more self-conscious. Personal Fable: Belief that something is totally unique about you. Leads to feelings of isolation regarding experiences. Optimistic Bias: Tendency to assume that accidents, diseases and other misfortunes are more likely to happen to others than you. Invincibility and Risk-Taking

Goals for Adolescents-Become an Adult: 

Goals for Adolescents-Become an Adult Identity: Figure out who they are and where they fit into society. Autonomy: Show independence by distancing from parents. (Adopt teen culture without parents) Attachment/Relationships: Focus on more abstract similarities such as personality matches. Empathy and Perspective-taking

21st Century: 

21st Century Media: T.V., Internet, Music, Movies, Magazines, Newspapers. Technology: Cell Phones, Wireless access, Facebook, Formspring, Twitter, etc. Access to information: Filter free.

Media Impact: 

Media Impact Media Impact on Development: Media assists development in the areas of identity, autonomy, dating, and relationships with friends. Media inhibits development in the areas of empathy and family relationships. Media defines “normalcy.”

Technology: 

Technology Technology Interaction with Adolescent Goals Five Uses of Media by Adolescents Entertainment Identity formation High Sensation Coping Youth cultural identification

Internet Search: 

Internet Search Internet Search: Information gathering Academic achievement Identity Exploration Autonomy of selection of content

Social Networks and Cell Phones: 

Social Networks and Cell Phones Social Networks and Cell Phones Encourage focus on quantity of friends over quality Encourages constant contact with peer group Allows for peer feedback in identity formation Allows more autonomy with the perception of a safety net Inhibits social feedback Decreases empathy Increases depersonalization of communication

Video Sharing/ You Tube: 

Video Sharing/ You Tube Video Sharing / You Tube Allows exploration of media for identity formation Increases autonomy in viewing content Friendships enhanced by common experiences Allows for distancing from parents

Digital Footprint: 

Digital Footprint A digital footprint is a collection of activities and behaviors recorded when an entity (such as a person) interacts in a digital environment. It may include the recording of activities such as system login and logouts, visits to a web-page, accessed or created files, or emails and chat messages. The digital footprint allows interested parties to access this data; possibly for data mining, or profiling purposes….FOREVER!

Sexting: 

Sexting Sexting: Sending sexually explicit messages and/or semi-nude or nude photos to others. Refer to handout page 6. The numbers are alarming.

Communication with Parents: 

Communication with Parents Communication with Parents Most parents trust their teens to do what’s right online. Roughly half of teens’ say their parents know some but not all of what they do online. One-third of teens don’t tell their parents what they are doing online and would change their behavior if they knew parents were watching. Parents are less likely to monitor teens’ activities as they get older. Teens more likely to hide what they do online from parents as they get older. Less face to face time with parents.

Open Communication: 

Open Communication Open Communication with our child is the best policy. Establish clear expectations for online/cell phone usage. Keep home computer in easily viewable places, such as family room or living room. Tell your child that you may review his or her online/txt communications if you think there is reason for concern. Consider installing parental control filtering software and/or tracking programs, but don’t rely solely on these tools.

Current Drug Trends: 

Current Drug Trends Potency of Marijuana has changed…Completely different drug today. Accessibility of drugs has changed. Greater variety available and prevalent at younger ages. Progression is much quicker…meaning less time to intervene and greater urgency. Greater secrecy methods means greater need for communication with “safety net” of support.

Drug Trends: 

Drug Trends Spice/K2- Synthetic Marijuana sold as incense. Dried herbs that have a chemical compound sprayed on to mimic the high from THC. Suboxone- Used to treat opiate addiction. Pharm Parties- Beer parties still exist, but now they are open to much more. Keep track of your medicine cabinet.

Drug Trends Cont’d: 

Drug Trends Cont’d Few options once kids “give up” and stop trying. No magic words or counseling session will solve. No quick fixes when dealing with addiction Not a lot of pleasant choices for son/daughter refusing help. Treatment often taken for granted but may not always be available. NEED TO INTERVENE EARLY !!!!!!!

WHAT’S IT ALL MEAN?: 

WHAT’S IT ALL MEAN? Different teen these days! More Impulsive Less Clarity about “appropriate” behavior More need for instant gratification, less able to tolerate delayed gratification principles. Lower “frustration tolerance”. Fewer social skills and ability to manage emotions or conflict. Heightened or exaggerated responses due to “safety” of being behind computer. More detached, isolated, fewer quality relationships. More distracted (text while talking to them) - multi-taskers.